Polymers and their synthesis

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to polysaccharide graft polymers useful for incorporation as benefit agents in laundry detergent and fabric treatment compositions, and their preparation. The invention also relates to substituted polysaccharides useful as macroinitiator intermediates for the preparation of the polysaccharide graft polymers, and the preparation of the macroinitiators. The polysaccharide graft polymers may be used, for example, to impart soil release and/or fabric care benefits to laundry detergent or fabric treatment compositions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to substituted polysaccharides, their synthesis, and graft polysaccharide polymers made therefrom. The graft polymers find utility in laundry cleaning operations and provide soil release, fabric care and other laundry cleaning benefits.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

The grafting of synthetic polymers onto a cellulosic backbone has been the subject of research activities for a long time with the object of producing a polymer that has the beneficial properties of both cellulose and the synthetic polymers. Enormous research and development efforts have occurred over the last 40 years, but no polymer or process has yet been discovered which has proceeded to commercialisation.

The grafting of polymers on a cellulosic backbone proceeds through radical polymerisation wherein an ethylenic monomer is contacted with a soluble or insoluble cellulosic material together with a free radical initiator. The radical thus formed reacts on the cellulosic backbone (usually by proton abstraction), creates radicals on the cellulosic chain, which subsequently react with monomers to form graft chains on the cellulosic backbone. Related techniques use other sources of radical such as high energy irradiation or oxidising agents such as cerium salt or redox systems such as thiocarbonate-potassium bromate. These methods are well known, see, eg, McDonald, et al. Prog. Polym. Sci. 1984, 10, 1; Hebeish et al, “The Chemistry and Technology of cellulosic copolymers”, (Springer Verlag, 1981); Samal et al. J Macromol. Sci-Rev. Macromol. Chem. 1986, 26, 81; Waly et al, Polymers & polymer composites 4,1,53,1996; and D. Klenn et al, Comprehensive Cellulose Chemistry, vol. 2 “Functionalization of Cellulose” pp. 17–31 (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 1998).

Another strategy involves functionalising the cellulose backbone with a reactive double bond and polymerising in the presence of monomers under conventional free radical polymerisation conditions, see, eg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,645 (Nippon Paint). Alternatively, a free radical initiator is covalently linked to the polysaccharide backbone to generate a radical from the backbone to initiate polymerisation and form graft copolymers. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,108 (Du Pont), a thiol is covalently bound to a polymeric backbone with pendant hydroxy groups via a urethane linkage; this polymer containing mercapto group is then reacted with ethylenically unsaturated monomers to form the graft copolymer.

Unfortunately, none of these techniques lead to a well-defined material with a controlled macrostructure and microstructure. For instance, none of these techniques leads to a good control of both the number of graft chains per cellulose backbone molecule and molecular weight of the graft chains. Moreover, side reactions are difficult, if not impossible, to avoid, including the formation of un-grafted polymer, graft chain degradation and/or crosslinking of the grafted chains.

In an attempt to solve these problems, pre-formed chains have been chemically grafted onto cellulosic polymers. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,404, polystyrene chains were grown in an anionic polymerisation and capped with, eg, CO₂. These grafts were then attached to mesylated or tosylated cellulose triacetate by nucleophilic displacement. This method is difficult to commercialise because of the stringent conditions required by the method. Moreover, the set of monomers that can be used in this method is restricted to non-polar olefins, thus precluding any application in water media.

Block copolymers based on cellulose esters have been reported. See, eg, Oliveira et al, Polymer, 35, 9, 1994; Feger et al, Polymer Bulletin, 3,407, 1980; Feger et al, Ibid, 6, 321, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,932; Steinmann, Polym. Preprint, Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem. 1970, 11, 285; Kim et al, J. Polym. Sci. Polym, Lett. Ed., 1973, 11, 731; and Kim et al. J Macromol. Sci., Chem (A) 1976, 10, 671. A major problem with these references is the generation of considerable chain branching, grafting or crosslinking. Mezger et al, Angew. Makromol Chem., 116,13,1983 prepared oligomeric, monohydroxy-terminated cellulose coupled with 4,-41-diphenyldisocyanate, which was then used as a UV-macro-photo-initiator to prepare triblock copolymers. The reaction is known as the iniferter technique and uses UV initiation, which limits its applicability to certain processing methods. Furthermore, it is typically applicable to styrenic and methacrylic monomers. Other monomers, such as acrylics, vinyl acetate, acrylamide type monomers, which are in widespread use in waterborne systems, might require another technique.

So-called “living” radical polymerisation techniques are known which can give better defined polymers in terms of molecular structure. Three approaches to preparation of controlled polymers in a “living” radical process have been described (Greszta et al, Macromolecules, 27, 638 (1994). The first approach involves the situation where growing radicals react reversibly with scavenging radicals to form covalent species. The second approach involves the situation where growing radicals react reversibly with covalent species to produce persistent radicals. The third approach involves the situation where reaction which regenerates the same type of radicals. However, none of these techniques have been successfully applied to polysaccharide substrates.

It has previously been recognised in the art that cellulose based materials adhere to cotton fibres. For example, WO 00/18861A and WO 00/18862A (Unilever) disclose cellulosic compounds having a benefit agent attached, so that the benefit agent will be attached to the fibre. See also WO 99/14925A (Procter & Gamble). However, the ability of polysaccharide, especially cellulose based materials to adhere has not been fully investigated, and a need exists to find polysaccharide based materials that are of commercial significance.

There is therefore a strong need to develop a process that makes it possible to prepare grafted materials from polysaccharide polymers, with a predictable number of graft chains per polysaccharide backbone. These graft chains should be controlled in length and chemical composition. Moreover, the method of synthesis should be capable of commercial application. In addition, a need exists to provide polysaccharide-based polymers which provide benefits to fibres and surfaces.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with polysaccharide graft polymers useful as benefit agents in laundry detergent and fabric treatment compositions, and their preparation by controlled graft polymerisation from a substituted polysaccharide intermediate (macroinitiator). The novel substituted polysaccharide intermediate (macroinitiator) itself, and its preparation from a polysaccharide, are also subjects of the invention.

For reasons of clarity, it is necessary to define these inventive concepts in the following order:

-   (i) the macroinitiator, -   (ii) preparation of the macroinitiator, -   (iii) the polysaccharide graft polymer, -   (iv) preparation of the polysaccharide graft polymer.     Definition (i): the Macroinitiator

A first aspect of the present invention provides a substituted polysaccharide useful as a macroinitiator for preparing graft polysaccharide polymers by controlled graft polymerisation, in which at least one sugar unit of the polysaccharide is substituted by a group of the general formula —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z wherein W represents a group —O— or —NR¹—, where R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom;

-   p, q and r are each independently 0 or 1; -   L represents an optionally substituted alkylene, cycloalkylene,     arylene or heteroarylene group; -   X and Y each independently represent a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —O—CO—,     —CO—O—, —NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, —CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—O—CO—,     —CO—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CO—O—, —O—CO—CH₂—, —O—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—O—,     —(CR²R³)_(s)—CO—, —CO—(CR²R³)_(s)—, —(CR²R³)_(t)—O—,     —O—(CR²R³)_(t)—, —(CR²R³)_(u)—SO—, —SO—(CR²R³)_(u)—,     —(CR²R³)_(v)—SO₂—, —SO₂—(CR²R³)_(v)— or —NH—CO—NH, where s, t, u and     v are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R² and R³ each     independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted     alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom; and -   Z represents a control agent site from which a polymer may propagate     during a free radical polymerisation process, the substituted     polysaccharide having the general formula

wherein each SU represents a sugar unit in a polysaccharide backbone;

-   a represents the number of unsubstituted sugar units as a percentage     of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0 to     99.9%, preferably 65 to 99%, more preferably 80 to 99%; -   b represents the number of substituted sugar units as a percentage     of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0.1 to     100%, preferably 1 to 35%, more preferably 1 to 20%; -   m represents the degree of substitution per sugar unit and is from 1     to 3.     Definition (ii): Preparation of the Macroinitiator

A second aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a substituted polysaccharide (macroinitiator) as defined in the previous paragraph, which process comprises reacting a polysaccharide with a compound of the general formula Q-(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z in which p, q, r, X, XL, Y and Z are as defined above and Q represents a leaving group. Definition (iii): the Polysaccharide Graft Polymer Benefit Agent

A third aspect of the present invention provides a graft polysaccharide polymer useful in laundry detergent and fabric treatment compositions, having the general formula:

wherein p, q, r, W, X, L and Y are as defined above; each SU represents a sugar unit in a polysaccharide backbone; a represents the number of unsubstituted sugar units as a percentage of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0 to 99.9%, preferably 65 to 99%, more preferably 80 to 99%; b represents the number of substituted sugar units as a percentage of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0.1 to 100%, preferably 1 to 35%, more preferably 1 to 20%; m represents the degree of substitution per sugar unit and is from 1 to 3; Z¹ represents a group Z as defined above from which a halogen atom has been removed; P represents a polymer chain; Hal² represents a halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine and more preferably a bromine, atom; and k is from 10 to 200, preferably 10 to 100. Definition (iv): Preparation of the Polysaccharide Graft Polymer Benefit Agent

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a polysaccharide graft polymer according to the invention, which process comprises polymerising at least one free radically polymerisable monomer from the control agent site of a substituted polysaccharide as defined above in the presence of a transition metal compound and a ligand, and isolating the (co)polymer so formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Benefits

The graft polymers of the present invention provide one or more of the following benefits, according to the compound in question: soil release, anti-redeposition, soil repellancy, colour care especially anti-dye transfer and dye fixation, anti-wrinkling, ease of ironing, fabric rebuild, anti-fibre damage, anti-pilling, anti-colour fading, dimensional stability, good drape and body, waterproofing, fabric softening and/or conditioning, fungicidal properties and insect repellency.

Definitions

The following definitions pertain to chemical structures, molecular segments and substituents:

As used herein, the term “compound” includes materials of any molecular weight, be they simple structures which are generally considered to be monomers, dimers, trimers, higher oligomers as well as polymers.

The phrase “having the structure” is not intended to be limiting and is used in the same way that the term “comprising” is commonly used. The term “independently selected from the group consisting of” is used herein to indicate that the recited elements, eg, R groups or the like, can be identical or different.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or occurrence may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “optionally substituted hydrocarbyl” means that a hydrocarbyl moiety may or may not be substituted and that the description includes both unsubstituted hydrocarbyl and hydrocarbyl where there is substitution.

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group typically although not necessarily containing 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, octyl, decyl, and the like, as well as cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Generally, although again not necessarily, alkyl groups herein contain 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. More preferably, an alkyl group, sometimes termed a “lower alkyl” group, contains one to six carbon atoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. “Substituted alkyl” refers to alkyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing alkyl” and “heteroalkyl” refer to alkyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein refers to a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon group typically although not necessarily containing 2 to about 24 carbon atoms and at least one double bond, such as ethenyl, n-propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, octenyl, decenyl, and the like. Generally, although again not necessarily, alkenyl groups herein contain 2 to about 12 carbon atoms. More preferably, an alkenyl group, sometimes termed a ‘lower alkenyl” group, contains two to six carbon atoms, preferably two to four carbon atoms. “Substituted alkenyl’ refers to alkenyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing alkenyl” and “heteroalkenyl” refer to alkenyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein refers to a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon group typically although not necessarily containing 2 to about 24 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond, such as ethynyl, n-propynyl, isopropynyl, n-butynyl, isobutynyl, octynyl, decynyl, and the like. Generally, although again not necessarily, alkynyl groups herein contain 2 to about 12 carbon atoms. More preferably, an alkynyl group, sometimes termed a “lower alkynyl” group, contains two to six carbon atoms, preferably three or four carbon atoms. “Substituted alkynyl’ refers to alkynyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the terms “heteroatom-containing alkynyl” and “heteroalkynyl” refer to alkynyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein intends an alkyl group bound through a single, terminal ether linkage; that is, an “alkoxy” group may be represented as —O-alkyl where alkyl is as defined above. More preferbaly, an alkoxy group, sometimes termed a “lower alkoxy” group, contains one to six, more preferably one to four, carbon atoms. The term “aryloxy” is used in a similar fashion, with aryl as defined below.

Similarly, the term “alkyl thio” as used herein intends an alkyl group bound through a single, terminal thioether linkage; that is, an “alkyl thio” group may be represented as —S-alkyl where alkyl is as defined above. More preferably, an alkythio group, sometimes termed a “Iower alkyl thio” group, contains one to six, more preferably one to four, carbon atoms.

The term “aryl” as used herein, and unless otherwise specified refers to an aromatic substituent containing a single aromatic ring or multiple aromatic rings that are fused together, linked covalently, or linked to a common group such as a methylene or ethylene moiety. The common linking group may also be a carbonyl as in benzophenone, an oxygen atom as in diphenylether, or a nitrogen atom as in diphenylamine, Preferred aryl groups contain one aromatic ring or two fused or linked aromatic rings, eg, phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, diphenylether, diphenylamine, benzophenone, and the like. In particular embodiments, aryl substituents have 1 to about 200 carbon atoms, typically 1 to about 50 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. More preferably, aryl groups contain from 6 to 18, preferably 6 to 16 and especially 4 to 14, carbon atoms. Phenyl and naphthyl, particularly phenyl, groups are especially preferred. “Substituted aryl” refers to an aryl moiety substituted with one or more substituent groups, (eg, tolyl, mesityl and perfluorophenyl) and the terms “heteroatom-containing aryl” and “heteroaryl” refer to aryl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom.

The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group with an aryl substituent, and the term “aralkylene” refers to an alkylene group with an aryl substituent; the term “alkaryl” refers to an aryl group that has an alkyl substituent, and the term “alkarylene” refers to an arylene group with an alkyl substituent. Preferred aralkyl groups contain from 7 to 16, especially 7 to 10, carbon atoms, a particularly preferred aralkyl group being a benzyl group.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” are used in the conventional sense to refer to a chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo substituent. The terms “haloalkyl,” “haloalkenyl” or “haloalkynyl” (or “halogenated alkyl”, “halogenated alkenyl,” or “halogenated alkynyl”) refer to an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group, respectively, in which at least one of the hydrogen atoms in the group has been replaced with a halogen atom.

The term “heteroatom-containing” as in a “heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl group” refers to a molecule or molecular fragment in which one or more carbon atoms is replaced with an atom other than carbon, eg, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, phosphorus or silicon. Similarly, the term “heteroalkyl” refers to an alkyl substituent that is heteroatom-containing, the term “heterocyclic” refers to a cyclic substituent that is heteroatom-containing, the term “heteroaryl” refers to an aryl substituent that is heteroatom-containing, and the like. When the term “heteroatom-containing” appears prior to a list of possible heteroatom-containing groups, it is intended that the term apply to every member of that group. That is, the phrase “heteroatom-containing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl” is to be interpreted as “heteroatom-containing alkyl, heteroatom-containing alkenyl and heteroatom-containing alkynyl.” Preferably, a heterocyclic group is 3- to 18-membered, particularly a 3- to 14-membered, and especially a 5- to 10-membered ring system containing at least one heteroatom.

“Hydrocarbyl” refers to univalent hydrocarbyl radicals containing 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, most preferably 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, including branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated species, such as alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and the like. The term “lower hydrocarbyl” intends a hydrocarbyl group of one to six carbon atoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. “Substituted hydrocarbyl” refers to hydrocarbyl substituted with one or more substituent groups, and the term “heteroatom-containing hydrocarbyl”, and “heterohydrocarbyl” refer to hydrocarbyl in which at least one carbon atom is replaced with a heteroatom.

By “substituted” as in “substituted hydrocarbyl,” “substituted aryl,” “substituted alkyl,” “substituted alkenyl” and the like, as alluded to in some of the aforementioned definitions, is meant that in the hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylene, alkyl, alkenyl or other moiety, at least one hydrogen atom bound to a carbon atom is replaced with one or more substituents that are functional groups such as hydroxyl, alkoxy, thio, phosphino, amino, halo, silyl, and the like. When the term “substituted” appears prior to a list of possible substituted groups, it is intended that the term apply to every member of that group. That is, the phrase “substituted alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl” is to be interpreted as “substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl and substituted alkynyl”. Similarly, “optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl” is to be interpreted as “optionally.substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl and optionally substituted alkynyl.”

When any of the foregoing substituents are designated as being optionally substituted, the substituent groups which are optionally present may be any one or more of those customarily employed in the development of laundry treatment compounds and/or the modification of such compounds to influence their structure/activity, stability or other property. Specific examples of such substituents include, for example, halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyloxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylsulphonato, carbamoyl and alkylamido groups. When any of the foregoing substituents represents or contains an alkyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12, preferably up to 6, and especially up to 4, carbon atoms. A cycloalkyl group may contain from 3 to 8, preferably from 3 to 6, carbon atoms. A halogen atom may be a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom and any group which contains a halo moiety, such as a haloalkyl group, may thus contain any one or more of these halogen atoms.

The term “amino” is used herein to refer to the group —NZ^(I)Z² where each of Z¹ and Z² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrido and optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl and heterocyclic.

The term “thio” is used herein to refer to the group —SZ¹, where Z¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido and optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl and heterocyclic.

As used herein all reference to the elements and groups of the Periodic Table of the Elements is to the version of the table published by the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC Press, 1995, which sets forth the new IUPAC system for numbering groups.

The Polysaccharide Before Substitution

As used herein, the term “polysaccharides” includes natural polysaccharides, synthetic polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives and modified polysaccharides. Suitable polysaccharides for use in preparing the compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to, gums, arabinans, galactans, seeds and mixtures thereof as well as cellulose and derivatives thereof.

Suitable polysaccharides that are useful in the present invention include polysaccharides with a degree of polymerisation (DP) over 40, preferably from about 50 to about 100 000, more preferably from about 500 to about 50 000. Constituent saccharides preferably include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following saccharides: isomaltose, isomaltotriose, isomaltotetraose, isomaltooligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharide, levooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide, gentiooligosaccharides, disaccharides, glucose, fructose, galactose, xylose, mannose, sorbose, arabinose, rhamnose, fucose, maltose, sucrose, lactose, maltulose, ribose, lyxose, allose, altrose, gulose, idose, talose, trehalose, nigerose, kojibiose, lactulose, oligosaccharides, maltooligosaccharides, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharides, pentasaccharides, hexasaccharides, oligosaccharides from partial hydrolysates of natural polysaccharide sources and mixtures thereof.

The polysaccharides can be extracted from plants, produced by organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, extracted from animal and/or humans. For example, xanthan gum can be produced by Xanthomonas campestris, gellan by Sphingomonas paucimobilis, xyloglucan can be extracted from tamarind seed.

The polysaccharides can be linear, or branched in a variety of ways, such as 1-2,1-3, 1-4,1-6, 2-3 and mixtures thereof. Many naturally occurring polysaccharides have at least some degree of branching, or at any rate, at least some saccharide rings are in the form of pendant side groups on a main polysaccharide backbone.

It is desirable that the polysaccharides of the present invention have a molecular weight in the range of from about 10 000 to about 10 000 000, more preferably from about 50 000 to about 1 000 000, most preferably from about 50 000 to about 500 000.

Preferably, the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of: tamarind gum (preferably consisting of xyloglucan polymers), guar gum, locust bean gum (preferably consisting of galactomannan polymers), and other industrial gums and polymers, which include, but are not limited to, Tara, Fenugreek, Aloe, Chia, Flaxseed, Psyllium seed, quince seed, xanthan, gellan, welan, rhamsan, dextran, curdlan, pullulan, scleroglucan, schizophyllan, chitin, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, arabinan (preferably from sugar beets), de-branched arabinan (preferably from sugar beets), arabinoxylan (preferably from rye and wheat flour), galactan (preferably from lupin and potatoes), pectic galactan (preferably from potatoes), galactomannan (preferably from carob, and including both low and high viscosities), glucomannan, lichenan (preferably from icelandic moss), mannan (preferably from ivory nuts), pachyman, rhamnogalacturonan, acacia gum, agar, alginates, carrageenan, chitosan, clavan, hyaluronic acid, heparin, inulin, cellodextrins, cellulose, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof. These polysaccharides can also be treated (preferably enzymatically) so that the best fractions of the polysaccharides are isolated.

Polysaccharides can be used which have an α- or β-linked backbone. However, more preferred polysaccharides have a β-linked backbone, preferably a β-1,4 linked backbone. It is preferred that the β-1,4-linked polysaccharide is cellulose; a cellulose derivative, particularly cellulose sulphate, cellulose acetate, sulphoethyl cellulose, cyanoethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose; a xyloglucan, particularly one derived from Tamarind seed gum; a glucomannan, particularly Konjac glucomannan; a galactomannan, particularly Locust Bean gum and Guar gum; a side chain branched galactomannan, particulalry Xanthan gum; chitosan or a chitosan salt. Other β-1,4-linked polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose, such as mannan, are also preferred.

The natural polysaccharides can be modified with amines (primary, secondary, tertiary), amides, esters, ethers, urethanes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, tosylates, sulphonates, sulphates, nitrates, phosphates and mixtures thereof. Such a modification can take place in position 2, 3 and/or 6 of the saccharide unit. Such modified or derivatised polysaccharides can be included in the compositions of the present invention in addition to the natural polysaccharides.

Nonlimiting examples of such modified polysaccharides include: carboxyl and hydroxymethyl substitutions (eg glucuronic acid instead of glucose); amino polysaccharides (amine substitution, eg glucosamine instead of glucose); C₁–C₆ alkylated polysaccharides; acetylated polysaccharide ethers; polysaccharides having amino acid residues attached (small fragments of glycoprotein); polysaccharides containing silicone moieties. Suitable examples of such modified polysaccharides are commercially available from Carbomer and include, but are not limited to, amino alginates, such as hexanediamine alginate, amine functionalised cellulose-like O-methyl-(N-1,12-dodecanediamine) cellulose, biotin heparin, carboxymethylated dextran, guar polycarboxylic acid, carboxymethylated locust bean gum, carboxymethylated xanthan, chitosan phosphate, chitosan phosphate sulphate, diethylaminoethyl dextran, dodecylamide alginate, sialic acid, glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, mannuronic acid, guluronic acid, N-acetylgluosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and mixtures thereof.

Especially preferred polysaccharides include cellulose, ether, ester and urethane derivatives of cellulose, particularly cellulose monoacetate, xyloglucans and galactomannans, particularly Locust Bean gum.

It is preferred that the polysaccharide has a total number of sugar units from 10 to 7000, although this figure will be dependent on the type of polysaccharide chosen, at least to some extent.

In the case of cellulose and water-soluble modified celluloses, the total number of sugar units is preferably from 50 to 1000, more preferably 50 to 750 and especially 200 to 300. The preferred molecular weight of such polysaccharides is from 10 000 to 150 000.

In the case of cellulose monoacetate, the total number of sugar units is from 10 to 200, preferably 100 to 150. The preferred molecular weight is from 10 000 to 20 000.

In the case of Locust Bean gum, the total number of sugar units is preferably from 50 to 7000. The preferred molecular weight is from 10 000 to 1000 000.

In the case of xyloglucan, the total number of sugar units is preferably from 1000 to 3000. the preferred molecular weight is from 250 000 to 600 000.

The polysaccharide can be linear, like in hydroxyalkyl cellulose, it can have an alternating repeat like in carrageenan, it can have an interrupted repeat like in pectin, it can be a block copolymer like in alginate, it can be branched like in dextran, or it can have a complex repeat like in xanthan. Descriptions of the polysaccharides are given in “An introduction to Polysaccharide Biotechnology”, by M. Tombs and S. E. Harding, T. J. Press 1998.

The Substituted Polysaccharide (Macroinitiator)

The substituted polysaccharides or macroinitiators according to the first aspect of the invention have a structure in which at least one sugar unit of the polysaccharide is substituted by a group of the general formula —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z in which p, q, r, W, X, L, Y and Z are as defined above.

The group W is derived from the polysaccharide substrate. Thus, W may be —O— in the case of polysaccharides such as cellulose monoacetate or Locust Bean gum or —W— may be —NH— in the case of polysaccharides such as chitosan and its salts. It is particularly preferred that W is —O—.

Preferably, L represents a C₁₋₆ alkylene (particularly C₁₋₄ alkylene and especially methylene) group, a C₃₋₈ (particularly C₃₋₆ and especially C₅ or C₆) cycloalkylene group, a C₆₋₁₄ arylene (particularly C₆₋₁₀ arylene and especially phenylene) group or a 5- to 14-membered heteroarylene (particularly 5-to 10-membered heteroarylene and especially triazine, specifically 1,3,5,-triazine) group, each group being optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₄ groups. More preferably, L, if present, represents a methylene or triazine group, with a methylene group being especially preferred.

It is preferred that X and Y each independently represent a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, —CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—O—CO—, —CO—O—CH₂—, —CH₂CO—O—, —O—CO—CH₂—, —O—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—O—, —(CR²R³)_(s)—CO—, —CO—(CR²R³) _(s)—, —(CR²R³)_(t)—O—, —O—(CR²R³)_(t)—, —(CR²R³)_(u)—SO—, —SO—(CR²R³)_(u)—, —(CR²R³)_(v)—SO₂—, —SO₂—(CR²R³)_(v)— or —NH—CO—NH, where s, t, u and v are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R² and R³ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom. If R² and/or R³ represents an optionally substituted alkyl group, this is preferably a C₁₋₆, especially a C₁₋₄, alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy groups. Preferably, X and Y, if present (i.e. p and/or r is 1) independently represent a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, —CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—O—CO, —CO—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CO—O—, —O—CO—CH₂—, —O—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—O—, —CH₂CH₂—CO—, —CO—CH₂—CH₂, —(CR²R³)_(t)—O—, —O—(CR²R³)_(t)—, —CH₂—CH₂—SO—, —SO—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—SO₂—, —SO₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —NH—CO—NH— where t is 1 or 2 and R² and R³ both represent a hydrogen atom.

More preferably, X and Y, if present, independently represent a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —CO—NH— or —NH—CO—, with the groups —CH₂— and —CO— being especially preferred.

In one preferred embodiment, Z represents a group of formula

in which R⁴ and R⁵ each independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group and Hal represents a halogen atom.

Preferably, R⁴ and R⁵ each independently represent a C₁₋₆ (especially C₁₋₄) alkyl, C₃₋₈ (especially C₃₋₆) cycloalkyl or C₇₋₁₄ (especially C₇₋₁₀) aralkyl (particularly benzyl) group, each group being optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy groups. More preferably, R⁴ and R⁵ independently represent a C₁₋₄ alkyl, especially a methyl group.

Hal may represent any halogen atom, that is, a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom. However, it is preferred that Hal represents a chlorine or bromine, especially a bromine, atom.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, R⁴ and R⁵ both represent a methyl group and Hal represents a bromine atom.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, Z represents a group of formula

in which w is 0, 1 2, 3 or 4; R⁶ represents a halogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group.

Preferably, R⁶, if present, represents a halogen atom or a C₁₋₆ (especially C₁₋₄) alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. Preferably, w is 0. R⁷ preferably represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁₋₆ (especially C₁₋₄) alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. More preferably, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom.

Hal¹ may represent any halogen atom, that is, a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom. However, it is preferred that Hal represents a chlorine or bromine, especially a bromine, atom.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, w is O, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom and Hal¹ represents a bromine atom.

Substituted polysaccharides in which W represents a group —O— or —NH—, p, q and r are 0 and Z represents a group —CO—C(CH₃)₂—Br are also preferred.

Another preferred group of substituted polysaccharides are those in which W represents a group —O— or —NH—, p and q are both 0, r is 1, Y represents a group —CH₂— or —CO— and Z represents a 4-(bromomethyl)phenyl group.

The substituted polysaccharides of the present invention have the general formula

in which Su, a, b, k, m, p, q, r, W, X, L, Y and Z are as defined above.

In one preferred embodiment, the substituted polysaccharides have the general formula:

wherein at least one or more —OR groups of the polymer are independently replaced by a group —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z, in which p, q, r W, X, L, Y and Z are as defined above and at least one or more R groups are independently selected from groups of formulae:

wherein each R⁸ is independently selected from C₁₋₂₀ (preferably C₁₋₆) alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ (preferably C₂₋₆) alkenyl (eg vinyl) and C₅₋₇ aryl (eg phenyl) any of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ (preferably C₁₋₄) alkoxy, hydroxyl, vinyl and phenyl groups;

-   each R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen and groups R⁸ as     hereinbefore defined; -   R¹⁰ is a bond or is selected from C₁₋₄ alkylene, C₂₋₄ alkenylene and     C₅₋₇ arylene (eg phenylene) groups, the carbon atoms in any of these     being optionally substituted by one or more substituents     independently selected from C₁₋₁₂ (preferably C₁₋₄) alkoxy, vinyl,     hydroxyl, halo and amine groups; -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, counter cations     such as alkali metal (preferably Na) or

$\frac{1}{2}{Ca}$ or

${\frac{1}{2}{Mg}},$ and groups R⁸ as hereinbefore defined;

-   R¹² is selected from C₁₋₂₀ (preferably C₁₋₆) alkyl, C₂₋₂₀     (preferably C₂₋₆) alkenyl (eg vinyl) and C₅₋₇ aryl (eg phenyl), any     of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents     independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ (preferably C₁₋₄)     alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, cyano, sulphonato, vinyl and phenyl     groups; -   x is from 1 to 3; and -   groups R which together with the oxygen atom forming the linkage to     the respective saccharide ring forms an ester or hemi-ester group of     a tricarboxylic- or higher polycarboxylic- or other complex acid     such as citric acid, an amino acid, a synthetic amino acid analogue     or a protein; -   any remaining R groups being selected from hydrogen and ether     substituents.

It is particularly preferred that R¹² is a methyl, ethyl, phenyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, carboxymethyl, sulphoethyl or cyanoethyl group.

For the avoidance of doubt, as already mentioned, in formula (II), some of the R groups may optionally have one or more structures, for example as hereinbefore described. For example, one or more R groups may simply be hydrogen or an alkyl group.

Preferred groups may for example be independently selected from one or more of acetate, propanoate, trifluoroacetate, 2-(2-hydroxy-1-oxopropoxy) propanoate, lactate, glycolate, pyruvate, crotonate, isovalerate cinnamate, formate, salicylate, carbamate, methylcarbamate, benzoate, gluconate, methanesulphonate, toluene, sulphonate, groups and hemiester groups of fumaric, malonic, itaconic, oxalic, maleic, succinic, tartaric, aspartic, glutamic, and malic acids.

Particularly preferred such groups are the monoacetate, hemisuccinate, and 2-(2-hydroxy-1-oxopropoxy)propanoate. The term “monoacetate” is used herein to denote those acetates with the degree of substitution of about 1 or less on a cellulose or other β-1,4 polysaccharide backbone. Thus, “cellulose monoacetate” refers to a molecule that has acetate esters in a degree of substitution of about 1.1 or less, preferably about 1.1 to about 0.5. “Cellulose triacetate” refers to a molecule that has acetate esters in a degree of substitution of about 2.7 to 3.

Cellulose esters of hydroxyacids can be obtained using the acid anhydride in acetic acid solution at 20–30° C. and in any case below 50° C. When the product has dissolved the liquid is poured into water (b.p. 316,160). Tri-esters can be converted to secondary products as with the triacetate. Glycollic and lactic ester are most common.

Cellulose glycollate may also be obtained from cellulose chloracetate (as described in GB 320 842) by treating 100 parts with 32 parts of NaOH in alcohol added in small portions.

An alternative method of preparing cellulose esters consists in the partial displacement of the acid radical in a cellulose ester by treatment with another acid of higher ionisation constant (FR-A-702 116). The ester is heated at about 100° C. with the acid which, preferably, should be a solvent for the ester. By this means cellulose acetate-oxalate, tartrate, maleate, pyruvate, salicylate and phenylglycollate have been obtained, and from cellulose tribenzoate a cellulose benzoate-pyruvate. A cellulose acetate-lactate or acetate-glycollate could be made in this way also. As an example cellulose acetate (10 g.) in dioxan (75 ml.) containing oxalic acid (10 g.) is heated at 100° C. for 2 hours under reflux.

Multiple esters are prepared by variations of this process. A simple ester of cellulose, eg the acetate, is dissolved in a mixture of two (or three) organic acids, each of which has an ionisation constant greater than that of acetic acid (1.82×10⁻⁵). With solid acids suitable solvents such as propionic acid, dioxan and ethylene dichloride are used. If a mixed cellulose ester is treated with an acid this should have an ionisation constant greater than that of either of the acids already in combination.

A cellulose acetate-lactate-pyruvate is prepared from cellulose acetate, 40 percent. acetyl (100 g.), in a bath of 125 ml. pyruvic acid and 125 ml. of 85 percent. lactic acid by heating at 100° C. for 18 hours. The product is soluble in water and is precipitated and washed with ether-acetone. M.p. 230–250° C.

In the case when solubilising groups are attached to the polysaccharide, this is typically via covalent bonding and, may be pendant upon the backbone or incorporated therein.

The type of solubilising group may alter according to where the group is positioned with respect to the backbone.

The molecular weight of the substituted polysaccharide part may typically be in the range of 1000 to 2 000 000, for example 10 000 to 1 500 000.

Other Substituents

As well as the groups of formula —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z, pendant groups of other types may optionally be present, i.e. groups which do not confer a benefit and/or which do not undergo a chemical change to enhance substrate affinity. Within that class of other groups is the sub-class of groups for enhancing the solubility of the material (eg groups which are, or contain one or more free carboxylic acid/salt and/or sulphonic acid/salt and/or sulphate groups).

Examples of solubility enhancing substituents include carboxyl, sulphonyl, hydroxyl, (poly)ethyleneoxy- and/or (poly)propyleneoxy-containing groups, as well as amine groups.

The other pendant groups preferably comprise from 0% to 65%, more preferably from 0% to 10% of the total number of pendant groups. The water-solubilising groups could comprise from 0% to 100% of those other groups but preferably from 0% to 20%, more preferably from 0% to 10%, still more preferably from 0% to 5% of the total number of other pendant groups.

Synthesis of the Substituted Polysaccharide (Macroinitiator)

The substituted polysaccharides or macroinitiators according to the first aspect of the invention are prepared by a process which comprises reacting a polysaccharide with a compound of the general formula Q-(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z in which p, q, r, X, L, Y and Z are as defined above and Q represents a leaving group. Preferably, Q is a halogen atom (F, Cl, Br, I) derived from an acid halide or an imidazole derived from the imidazolide, a urea derived from the O-acylisourea or an acid derived from the anhydride.

The reaction may be carried out as a suspension or solution in a polar solvent or mixture of polar solvents, such as water, alcohol, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) etc. In one preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is dissolved in an aprotic polar solvent, especially an anhydrous aprotic polar solvent, such as DMSO or DMAC. The reaction suitably takes place at a temperature in the range from 0 to 100° C., preferably 0 to 80° C., more preferably 0 to 65° C. Preferably, the reaction is carried out over a period of 12 to 24 hours, more preferably, 14 to 18 hours. It is also preferred that the reaction is carried out under an inert atmosphere, preferably a nitrogen atmosphere.

The Polysaccharide Graft Polymer Benefit Agents

The graft polymers according to the third aspect of the invention are polysaccharides in which at least one sugar unit of the polysaccharide has been substituted by a group of the general formula

in which k, m, p, q, r, P, W, X, L, Y and Z¹ and Hal² are as defined above.

Thus, preferred graft polymers have the general formula

in which SU, a, b, k, m, p, q, r, W, X, L, Y, Z¹, P and Hal² are as defined above.

It is preferred that m is from 1 to 2, preferably 1.

The various substituted polysaccharides or macroinitiators of the present invention work for any radically polymerisable monomer, especially an alkene monomer, including (meth)acrylates, styrenes and dienes. They also provide various controlled copolymers, including block, random, star, gradient, graft or “comb”, hyperbranched and dendritic (co)polymers. (In the present application, “(co)polymer” refers to a homopolymer, copolymer, or mixture thereof). Preferably, P is a single polymer chain, a random copolymer of two or more monomers or a gradient block copolymer of two or more monomers.

In the present invention, any radically polymerisable alkene can serve as a monomer for polymerisation. However, monomers suitable for polymerisation according to one embodiment of the present invention include those of the formula:

wherein R¹³ and R¹⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, CN, CF₃, straight or branched C₁₋₂₀ (preferably C₁₋₆, more preferably C₁₋₄) alkyl, α,β-unsaturated straight or branched C₂₋₁₀ (preferably C₂₋₆, more preferably C₂₋₄) alkenyl or alkynyl, α,β-unsaturated straight or branched C₂₋₆ alkenyl (preferably vinyl) substituted (preferably at the α-position) with a halogen (preferably chlorine), C₃–C₈ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, C(=T)R¹⁷, C(=T) N¹⁸R¹⁹ and TC(=T)R²⁰, where T may be NR²⁰ or O (preferably O), R¹⁷ is C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, aryloxy or heterocyclyloxy, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently H or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may be joined together to form an alkylene group of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, thus forming a 3- to 6-membered ring, and R²⁰ is H, straight or branched C₁₋₂₀ alkyl or aryl; and

-   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of     H, halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), C₁₋₆ (preferably C₁)     alkyl, and COOR²¹ and CONHR²¹ (where R²¹ is H, an alkali metal, or a     C₁₋₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆     alkylamino or di(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino group); or a heterocyclyl group     optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or hydroxy C₁₋₆ alkyl group;     or -   R¹³ and R¹⁵ .may be joined to form a group of the formula (CH₂)_(n′)     (which may be substituted with from 1 to 2n′ halogen atoms or C₁₋₄     alkyl groups) or C(═O)-T-C(═O), where n′ is from 2 to 6 (preferably     3 or 4) and T is as defined above; and at least two of R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵     and R¹⁶ are H or halogen.

In another preferred embodiment, P represents a polymer chain derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of sodium methacrylate, t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyethylmorpholine methacrylate, 2-methacryloxyethyl glucoside, methoxypolyethyleneglycol methacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate, 2-(sulphooxy)ethyl methacrylate ammonium salt, 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate potassium salt, [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl]dimethyl(3-sulphopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide inner salt, 4-vinyl benzoic acid and 4-styrenesulphonic acid sodium salt.

A second monomer can also be used to form copolymeric grafts. This can be any of those listed above. However., in a further preferred embodiment, P represents a polymer chain which is a copolymer derived from a monomer as listed in the previous paragraph and a hydrophobic monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylates (eg stearyl methacrylate), perfluoroalkyl methacrylates (eg 1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadeca-fluorodecyl methacrylate), and siloxane methacrylates (eg monomethacryloxypropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane).

Preferably, the grafts have a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 200 000, more preferably 1000 to 100 000.

Preferably, the polysaccharide backbone has a number average molecular weight from 10 000 to 1 000 000.

It is also preferred that the polymer is water soluble at a concentration of at least 0.2 mg/ml.

Synthesis of Polysaccharide Graft Polymers

The graft polymers according to the third aspect of the invention can be prepared by a process which forms the fourth aspect of the invention. This process comprises a process for preparing a graft polymer which comprises polymerising at least one free radically polymerisable monomer from the control agent site of a substituted polysaccharide in the presence of a transition metal compound and a ligand, and isolating the (co)polymer so formed.

The transition metal compound may be any transition metal compound which can participate in a redox cycle with the initiator and dormant polymer chain, but which does not form a direct carbon-metal bond with the polymer chain. Preferred transition metal compounds are those of the formula M^(j+)N_(j), where

-   N^(J+) may be selected from the group consisting of Cu¹⁺, Cu²⁺,     Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ru²⁺, Ru³⁺, Cr²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mo⁰, Mo⁺, Mo²⁺, Mo³⁺, W²⁺, W³⁺,     Rh³⁺, Rh⁴⁺, Co⁺, Co²⁺, Re²⁺, Re³⁺, Ni⁰, Ni⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, V²⁺, V³⁺,     Zn⁺, Zn²⁺, Au⁺, Au²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ag²⁺; -   N is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy,     (SO₄)_(1/2), (PO₄)_(1/3), (HPO₄)_(1/2), (H₂PO₄), triflate,     hexafluorophosphate, methanesulphonate, arylsulphonate (preferably     benzenesulphonate or toluenesulphonate), CN, R²²CO₂, and SeR²³ where     R²² is H or a straight or branched C₁₋₆ alkyl (preferably methyl)     which may be substituted from 1 to 5 times with a halogen atom     (preferably 1 to 3 times with a fluorine or chlorine) and R²³ is     aryl or a straight or branched C₁₋₂₀ (preferably C₁₋₁₀) alkyl group;     and -   j is the formal charge on the metal (eg, 0≦j≦7).

Preferably, the transition metal compound is a copper (I) halide, especially copper (I) bromide.

Suitable ligands for use in the present invention include ligands having one or more nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulphur atoms which can coordinate to the transition metal through a σ-bond, ligands containing two or more carbon atoms which can coordinate to the transition metal through a π-bond, and ligands which can coordinate to the transition metal through a μ-bond or a η-bond. However, preferred N—, O—, P— and S— containing ligands may have one of the following formulas: R²⁴-J-R²⁵ R²⁴-J-(R²⁶-J)_(h)-R²⁵ wherein R²⁴ and R²⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted with C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₁₋₄ dialkylamino, C(=T)R¹⁷, C(=T)R¹⁸R¹⁹ and TC(=T)R²⁰, where T, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as defined above; or

-   R²⁴ and R²⁵ can be joined to form a saturated, unsaturated or     heterocyclic ring as described above for the “heterocyclyl” group; -   Z is O, S, NR²⁷ or PR²⁷, where R²⁷ is selected from the same group     as R²⁴ and R²⁵, -   each R²⁶ is independently a divalent group selected from the group     consisting of C₂₋₄ alkylene (alkanediyl) and C₂₋₄ alkenylene where     the covalent bonds to each Z are at vicinal positions (eg, in a     1,2-arrangement) or at β-positions e,g., in a 1,3-arrangement), and     from C₃₋₈ cycloalkanediyl, C₃₋₈ cycloalkenediyl, arenediyl and     heterocyclylene where the covalent bonds to each Z are at vicinal     positions; -   and h is from 1 to 6.

In addition to the above ligands, each of R²⁴-J and R²⁵-J can form a ring with the R²⁶ group to which the J is bound to form a linked or fused heterocyclic ring system (such as is described above for “heterocyclyl”). Alternatively, when R²⁴ and/or R²⁵ are heterocyclyl, J can be a covalent bond (which may be single or double), CH₂ or a 4- to 7-membered ring fused to R²⁴ and/or R²⁵, in addition to the definitions given above for J. Exemplary ring systems for the present ligand include bipyridine, bipyrrole, 1,10-phenanthroline, a cryptand, a crown ether, etc.

Where Z is PR²⁷, R²⁷ can also be C₁₋₂₀-alkoxy.

Also included as suitable ligands in the present invention are CO (carbon monoxide), porphyrins and porphycenes, the latter two of which may be substituted with from 1 to 6 (preferably from 1 to 4) halogen atoms, C₁₋₆ alkyl groups, C₁₋₆-alkoxy groups, C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl, aryl groups, heterocyclyl groups, and C₁₋₆ alkyl groups further substituted with from 1 to 3 halogens.

Further ligands suitable for use in the present invention include compounds of the formula R²⁸R²⁹C(C(=T)R¹⁷)₂, wherein T and R¹⁷ are as defined above, and each of R²⁸ and R²⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, aryl and heterocyclyl, and R²⁸ and R²⁹ may be joined to form a C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl ring or a hydrogenated (i.e., reduced, non-aromatic or partially or fully saturated) aromatic or heterocyclic ring (consistent with the definitions of “aryl” and “heterocyclyl” above), any of which (except for H and halogen) may be further substituted with 1 to 5 and preferably 1 to 3 C₂₋₆ alkyl groups, C₁₋₆ alkoxy groups, halogen atoms and/or aryl groups.

Preferably, one of R²⁸ and R²⁹ is H or a negative charge.

Additional suitable ligands include, for example, ethylenediamine and propylenediamine, both of which may be substituted from one to four times on the amino nitrogen atom with a C₁₋₄ alkyl group or a carboxymethyl group; aminoethanol and aminopropanol, both of which may be substituted from one to three times on the oxygen and/or nitrogen atom with a C₁₋₄ alkyl group; ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, both of which may be substituted one or two times on the oxygen atoms with a C₁₋₄ alkyl group; diglyme, triglyme, tetraglyme, etc.

Suitable carbon-based ligands include arenes (as described above for the “aryl” group) and the cyclopentadienyl ligand. Preferred carbon-based ligands include benzene (which may be substituted with from one to six C₁₋₄ alkyl groups >eg, methyl!) and cyclopentadienyl (which may be substituted with from one to five methyl groups, or which may be linked through an ethylene or propylene chain to a second cyclopentadienyl ligand). Where the cyclopentadienyl ligand is used, it may not be necessary to include a counteranion (N) in the transition metal compound.

Preferred ligands include unsubstituted and substituted pyridines and bipyridines, acetonitrile, (R³⁰O)₃P, PR³⁰ ₃,1,10-phenanthroline, porphyrin, cryptands such as K₂₂₂ and crown ethers such as 18-crown-6. The most preferred ligands are bipyridine and (R³⁰O)₃P where R³⁰ is C₁₋₂₀ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine atoms, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl (preferably vinyl), C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl (preferably acetylenyl), phenyl optionally substituted by one or more halogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl groups or phenyl C₁₋₆ alkyl.

In the present polymerisation, the amounts and relative proportions of initiator, transition metal compound and ligand are those effective to conduct this type of polymerisation which is known as atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP). Initiator efficiencies with the present initiator/transition metal compound/ligand system are generally very good (at least 50%, preferably ≧80%, more preferably ≧90%). Accordingly, the amount of initiator can be selected such that the initiator concentration is from 10⁴ M to 1M, preferably 10^(−3–10) ⁻¹ M. Alternatively, the initiator can be present in a molar ratio of from 10⁻⁴ :1 to 10⁻¹ :1, preferably from 10⁻³ :1 to 5×10⁻² :1, relative to monomer.

An initiator concentration of 0.1–1M is particularly useful for preparing end-functional polymers.

The molar proportion of transition metal compound relative to initiator is generally that which is effective to polymerize the selected monomer(s), but may be from 0.0001:1 to 10:1, preferably from 0.1:1 to 5:1, more preferably from 0.3:1 to 2:1, and most preferably from 0.9:1 to 1.1:1. Conducting the polymerisation in a homogeneous system may permit reducing the concentration of transition metal and ligand such that the molar proportion of transition metal compound to initiator is as low as 0.001:1.

Similarly, the molar proportion of ligand relative to transition metal compound is generally that which is effective to polymerize the selected monomer(s), but can depend upon the number of coordination sites on the transition metal compound which the selected ligand will occupy. (One of ordinary skill understands the number of coordination sites on a given transition metal compound which a selected ligand will occupy.) The amount of ligand may be selected such that the ratio of (a) coordination sites on the transition metal compound to (b) coordination sites which the ligand will occupy is from 0.1:1 to 100:1, preferably from 0.2:1 to 10:1, more preferably from 0.5:1 to 3:1, and most preferably from 0.8:1 to 2:1. However, as is also known in the art, it is possible for a solvent or for a monomer to act as a ligand. For the purposes of this application, a monomer is treated as being (a) distinct from and (b) not included within the scope of the ligand.

The present polymerisation may be conducted in the absence of solvent (“bulk” polymerisation). However, when a solvent is used, the reaction can be carried out as a suspension or a solution. Suitable solvents include water, ethers, cyclic ethers, C₅₋₁₀ alkanes, C₅₋₈ cycloalkanes which may be substituted with from 1 to 3 C₁₋₄ alkyl groups, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, DMSO, DMAC, mixtures of such solvents, and supercritical solvents (such as CO₂, C₁₋₄ alkanes in which any H may be replaced with F, etc.). Aprotic polar solvents are especially preferred. The present polymerisation may also be conducted in accordance with known suspension, emulsion and precipitation polymerisation processes.

Suitable ethers include compounds of the formula R³¹ OR³², in which each of R³¹ and R³² is independently an alkyl group of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may be further substituted with a C₁₋₄-alkoxy group. Preferably, when one of R³¹ and R³² is methyl, the other of R³¹ and R³² is alkyl of from 4 to 6 carbon atoms or C₁₋₄-alkoxyethyl. Examples include diethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, dipropyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, di-t-butyl ether, glyme (dimethoxyethane) diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), etc.

Suitable cyclic ethers include THF and dioxane. Suitable aromatic hydrocarbon solvents include benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene and any isomer or mixture of isomers of cumene. Suitable halogenated hydrocarbon solvents include CH₂Cl₂, 1,2-dichloroethane and benzene substituted from 1 to 6 times with fluorine and/or chlorine, although one should ensure that the selected halogenated hydrocarbon solvent(s) does not act as an initiator under the reaction conditions.

Keys to controlling the polymerisation reaction may include (1) matching the reactivity of the groups in the initiator with the group(s) on the monomer (R¹³—R¹⁶), and (2) matching the energetics of bond breaking and bond forming in dormant species (eg, dormant polymer chains) and transition metal species (as discussed elsewhere in the specification). Matching the reactivities of the initiator with the monomer depends to some degree on the radical stabilizing effects of the substituents. Thus, where the monomer is a simple alkene or halogenated alkene (eg, ethylene, propylene, vinyl chloride, etc.), one may select an alkyl halide initiator. On the other hand, if one wishes to polymerise an arene- or ester-stabilized monomer (eg, a (meth)acrylate, acrylonitrile or styrene), one may select an initiator which is stabilized by a similar group (ie. it contains an aryl, heterocyclyl, alkoxycarbonyl, CN, carboxyamido group, etc.). Such “matching” of substituents on the initiator and monomer provides a beneficial balance of the relative reactivities of the initiator and monomer.

Preferably, the monomer, initiator, transition metal compound and ligand are selected such that the rate of initiation is not less than 1000 times (preferably not less than 100 times) slower than the rate of propagation and/or transfer of the X group to the polymer radical. (In the present application, “propagation” refers to the reaction of a polymer radical with a monomer to form a polymer-monomer adduct radicals.)

The present polymerisation may be conducted in bulk, in the gas phase (eg, by passing the monomer in the gas phase over a bed of the catalyst which has been previously contacted with the initiator and ligand), in a sealed vessel or in an autoclave. Polymerising may be conducted at a temperature of from −78° to 200°, preferably from 0° to 160° and most preferably from 10° to 80°. The reaction should be conducted for a length of time sufficient to convert at least 10% (preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 75% and most preferably at least 90%) of the monomer to polymer. Typically, the reaction time will be from several minutes to 5 days, preferably from 30 minutes to 3 days, and most preferably from 1 to 24 hours. Polymerising may be conducted at a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 atmospheres, preferably from 1 to 50 atmospheres and most preferably from 1 to 10 atmospheres (although the pressure may not be measurable directly if conducted in a sealed vessel)

One may also conduct a “reverse” ATRP, in which the transition metal compound is in its oxidized state, and the polymerisation is initiated by, for example, a radical initiator such as azobis(isobutyronitrile) (“AIBN”), a peroxide such as benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or a peroxy acid such as peroxyacetic acid or peroxybenzoic acid.

After the polymerising step is complete, the formed polymer is isolated. The isolating step of the present process is conducted by known procedures, and may comprise precipitating in a suitable solvent, filtering the precipitated polymer, washing the polymer and drying the polymer.

Precipitation can be typically conducted using a suitable C₅₋₈-alkane or C₅₋₈-cycloalkane solvent, such as pentane hexane, heptane, cyclohexane or mineral spirits, or using a C₁₋₆-alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, or any mixture of suitable solvents. Preferably, the solvent for precipitating is hexane, mixtures of hexanes, or methanol.

The precipitated (co)polymer can be filtered by gravity or by vacuum filtration, in accordance with known methods (eg using a Buchner funnel and an aspirator). The polymer can then be washed with the solvent used to precipitate the polymer, if desired. The steps of precipitating, filtering and washing may be repeated, as desired.

Once isolated, the (co)polymer may be dried by drawing air through the (co)polymer, by vacuum, etc., in accordance with known methods (preferably by vacuum). The present (co)polymer may be analyzed and/or characterized by size exclusion chromatography, in accordance with known procedures.

The (co)polymers of the present invention may have a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 500 000 g/mol, preferably of from 2000 to 250 000 g/mol, and more preferably of from 3000 to 200 000 g/mol. When produced in bulk, the number average molecular weight may be up to 1 000 000 (with the same minimum weights as mentioned above). The number average molecular weight may be determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or, when the initiator has a group which can be easily distinguished from the monomer(s) by NMR spectroscopy

Thus, the present invention also encompasses novel block, multi-block, star, gradient, random hyperbranched and dendritic copolymers, as well as graft or “comb” copolymers. Each of the these different types of copolymers will be described hereunder.

Because ATRP is a “living” polymerisation, it can be started and stopped, practically at will. Further, the polymer product retains the functional group “X” necessary to initiate a further polymerisation. Thus, in one embodiment, once the first monomer is consumed in the initial polymerising step, a second monomer can then be added to form a second block on the growing polymer chain in a second polymerising step. Additional polymerisations with the same or different monomer(s) can be performed to prepare multi-block copolymers.

Furthermore, since ATRP is a radical polymerisation, blocks can be prepared in essentially any order. One is not necessarily limited to preparing block copolymers where the sequential polymerising steps must flow from the least stabilized polymer intermediate to the most stabilized polymer intermediate, such as is necessary in ionic polymerisation. (However, as is described throughout the application, certain advantageous reaction design choices will become apparent. However, one is not limited to those advantageous reaction design choices in the present invention.) Thus, one can prepare a multi-block copolymer in which a polyacrylonitrile or a poly(meth)acrylate block is prepared first, then a styrene or butadiene block is attached thereto, etc.

Furthermore, a linking group is not necessary to join the different blocks of the present block copolymer. One can simply add successive monomers to form successive blocks. Further, it is also possible (and in some cases advantageous) to first isolate a (co)polymer produced by the present ATRP process, then react the polymer with an additional monomer using a different initiator/catalyst system (to “match” the reactivity of the growing polymer chain with the new monomer). In such a case, the product polymer acts as the new initiator for the further polymerisation of the additional monomer. Thus, the present invention also encompasses block copolymers. Preferably the number average molecular weight of each block is from 1000 to 250 000 g/mol.

The present invention is also useful for making essentially random copolymers. By “essentially random” copolymers, the copolymers are as close to statistically random as is possible under radical polymerisation conditions. The present ATRP process is particularly useful for producing random copolymers where one of the monomers has one or two bulky substituents (eg, 1,1-diarylethylene, didehydromalonate C₁₋₂₀ diesters, C₁₋₂₀ diesters of maleic or fumaric acid, maleic anhydride and/or maleic diimides from which homopolymers may be difficult to prepare, due to steric considerations. Preferably, the number average molecular weight of the copolymer is from 1000 to 1 000 000 g/mol. The ratio of (1) the total number of “blocks” of statistically random units to (2) the total number of monomer units is preferably at least 1:5, more preferably at least 1:8, and most preferably at least 1:10. The present random copolymer can also serve as a block in any of the present block copolymers.

Preferably, at least one of the monomers has the formula:

wherein at least one of R¹³ and R¹⁴ is CN, CF₃, straight or branched alkyl of from 4 to 20 carbon atoms (preferably from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably from 4 to 8 carbon atoms), C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, C(=T)R¹⁷, C(=T)NR¹⁸R¹⁹ and TC(=T)R²⁰, where aryl, heterocyclyl, T, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as defined above; and

-   R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are as defined above; or -   R¹³ and R¹⁵ are joined to form a group of the formula C(═O)-T-C(═O),     where T is as defined above.

More preferred monomers for the present (co)polymer include styrene, acrylonitrile, C₁₋₈ esters of (meth)acrylic acid and 1,1-diphenylethylene and derivatives thereof, especially sodium methacrylate, t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyethylmorpholine methacrylate, 2-methacryloxyethylglucoside, methoxypolyethyleneglycol methacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate, 2-(sulphooxy)ethyl methacrylate ammonium salt, 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate potassium salt, [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulphopropyl)ammonium hydroxide inner salt, 4-vinyl benzoic acid and 4-styrenesulphonic acid sodium salt.

The present invention is also useful for forming so-called “star” polymers and copolymers.

In the present copolymers, each of the blocks may have a number average molecular weight in accordance with the homopolymers described above. Thus, the present copolymers may have a molecular weight which corresponds to the number of blocks (or in the case of star polymers, the number of branches times the number of blocks) times the number average molecular weight range for each block.

The present invention also encompasses graft or “comb” copolymers, prepared by sequential ATRPS. Thus, a (co)polymer is produced by a first ATRP, in which at least one of the monomers has a halogen substituent. Preferably, this substituent is Cl or Br. Examples of preferred monomers would thus include vinyl chloride, 1- or 2-chloropropene, vinyl bromide, 1,1- or 1,2-dichloro- or dibromoethene, trichloro- or tribromoethylene, tetrachloro- or tetrabromoethylene, chloroprene, 1-chlorobutadiene, 1- or 2-bromodutadiene, etc. More preferred monomers conclude vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide and chloroprene. It may be necessary to hydrogenate (by known methods) a (co)polymer produced in the first ATRP of chloroprene prior to the second ATRP, using the polymer produced by the first ATRP as the initiator.

Gradient or tapered copolymers can be produced using ATRP by controlling the proportion of two or more monomers being added. For example, one can prepare a first block or a oligomer) of a first monomer, then a mixture of the first monomer and a second, distinct monomer can be added in proportions of from, for example, 1:1 to 9:1 of first monomer to second monomer. After conversion of all monomer(s) is complete, sequential additions of first monomer-second monomers mixtures can provide subsequent “blocks” in which the proportions of first monomer to second monomer vary.

Preferably, the proportions of first and second monomers in subsequent “blocks” vary by at least 10%, preferably by at least 20%, up to 50%, from the preceding block. In a further embodiment, the relative proportions of first monomer to second monomer can be controlled in a continuous manner, using for example a programmable syringe or feedstock supply pump.

When either the initiator or monomer contains a substituent bearing a remote (ie unconjugated) ethylene or acetylene moiety, ATRP can be used to prepare cross-linked polymers and copolymers.

Polymers and copolymers produced by the present process have surprisingly low polydispersity for (co)polymers produced by radical polymerization. Typically, the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight “M_(w)/M_(n)”) is ≦1.5, preferably ≦1.4, and can be as low as 1.10 or less.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by reference to the following non-limiting examples:

Example 1 Preparation of Controlled Cellulose Monoacetate (CMA)-Graft-Copolymers by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ATRP)

(i) Preparation of CMA Based ATRP Macroinitiator

Method A: Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (5.98 g, 26 mmol) was added to a pre-cooled (0° C.) solution of 2-bromoisobutyric acid (4.34 g, 26 mmol) in a mixture of dry pyridine (5 mL) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (5 mL). Upon mixing, a yellow colour developed and precipitation was observed. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes to allow complete formation of 2-bromoisobutyric anhydride) then added, in one lot, to a rapidly stirred solution of cellulose monoacetate (10.00 g, DS 0.7, 51.4 mmol anhydroglucose unit) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (50 mL) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.10 g, 0.8 mmol). The resulting pale yellow solution was stirred for 16 hours overnight then the viscous reaction mixture was then poured very slowly into vigorously stirred methanol (600 mL) and the resulting precipitate filtered off (however, if this was too fine it was isolated by centrifugation). The solids were slurried in methanol (500 mL) and refiltered/centrifuged; this process being carried out two times. Following the second wash cycle the material was dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 40° C. This gave 5.53 g of the macroinitiator as a white powder.

¹H NMR (20% DCl in D₂O) δ_(H)/ppm: 1.9 (0.22H, 8, C[CH₃]₂); 2.1 (6.12H, s, CH₃CO); 3.1–3.9 (12H, m, glucose CH's and CH₂); 4.7 and 5.3 (2H, d, anomeric H's). Thus the NMR showed that the DS of the initiator group was 0.04.

Method B: Cellulose monoacetate (10.00 g, DS 0.7, 51.4 mmol anhydroglucose unit) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide (55 mL) by rapid stirring and heating to 80° C. This solution was allowed to cool to room temperature then dry pyridine (5 mL) was added. 2-Bromoisobutyryl bromide was added slowly to this stirred homogeneous mixture during 15 minutes whilst a blanket of nitrogen was maintained over the reaction flask. The cloudy mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours overnight. The viscous reaction mixture was then poured very slowly into vigorously stirred methanol (600 ml) and the resulting precipitate filtered off (however, if this was too fine it was isolated by centrifugation). The solids were slurried in methanol (500 mL) and refiltered/centrifuged; this process being repeated two times. Following the second wash cycle the material was dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 40° C. This gave 6.86 g of the macroinitiator as a white powder. The NMR showed (as before) that the DS of the initiator group was 0.04.

(ii) Preparation of CMA-Graft-Poly(styrene-4-sulphonic acid sodium salt)

To a three-neck round bottomed flask equipped with a nitrogen inlet (via a closeable tap) was added a solution (heating was required to achieve full dissolution) of styrene 4-sulphonic acid sodium salt (2.062 g, 10.0 mmol) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (20 mL). A vigorous stream of nitrogen was passed through this solution in order to remove any dissolved oxygen. N-(n-Pentyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine (0.066 g, 0.4 mmol) and a solution of the CMA/bromoisobutyrate initiator (DS_(initiator)=0.04; 0.857 g, 2.3 mmol, so 0.2 mmol Br sites) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (5 mL) were added and the degassing continued. Copper(1)bromide (0.029 g, 0.2 mmol) was added and the mixture degassed for a further 10 minutes before being sealed under nitrogen. The brown coloured reaction mixture was stirred and heated to 80° C. for 16 hours, allowed to cool, then transferred to a single neck flask. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the solid residue dissolved in demineralised water (70 mL). The green coloured aqueous solution was filtered through a short column (45×35 mm, W×H) of silica gel (60H) so as to remove the copper. The pale yellow filtrate was frozen (using dry ice) then lyophilised to give 2.12 g of the grafted polysaccharide as a soft white flaky solid.

¹H NMR (D₂O), δ/ppm: 0.9–2.4 (bm, vinylic polymer backbone+acetyl CH₃ groups); 3.2–4.4 (bm, cellulosic CH's and CH₂'S); 6.2–7.1 (bm) and 7.3–7.9, (bm, aryl CH's).

Example 2 Preparation of Locust Bean Gum-Graft-Copolymers

(i) Preparation of Locust Bean Gum Macroinitiator

A 9% w/v solution of lithium chloride (LiCl) in N,N-dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) was prepared by heating 9 g of LiCl in 100 cm³ of anhydrous DMSO to 150° C. in a 2-necked round bottom flask fitted with an overhead stirrer. Once a homogeneous solution had been obtained, Locust Bean Gum (LBG, MUD 246B ex Rhodia) (5 g, 0.031 mol of anhydromannose/galactose unit) was added to the solution gradually, maintaining the temperature at 150° C. until a highly viscous, clear, yellow solution had formed. This solution was then cooled to 65° C.

In a separate beaker, a solution of 2-bromoisobutyric acid (10.33 g, 0.062 mol) in anhydrous DMSO (50 cm³) was prepared. To this solution, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) (10 g, 0.00617 mol) was added slowly. Once the evolution of CO₂ had ceased, this solution was added to the LBG/DMSO/LiCl solution with stirring. The reaction mixture was maintained at 65° C. for 24 hours. It was then poured into a 3-fold volume of methanol, causing the product to precipitate. This was collected on a sinter funnel, then re-dispersed into methanol, filtered and washed with copious amounts of methanol. The product was dried under vacuo at 60° C. for 48 hours, yielding 3.5 g of a creamy, crystalline solid.

Characterisation:

IR: 1736 cm⁻¹ (s, saturated ester carbonyl)

NMR (¹H-D₂O): 1.84 (d, ester CH₃, 6H);

-   -   3.4–4.6 (m, mannose/galactose CH and CH₂, 36H)

From the NMR, the degree of substitution (DS) of ester group per repeat unit of Locust Bean Gum is 0.83.

(ii) Preparation of Locust Bean Gum-Graft-Poly(Methacrylic Acid)

To a 3-necked round bottom flask fitted with an N₂ inlet, thermometer and suba seal fitted with a syringe needle were added Locust Bean Gum—macroinitiator (1 g, 9.294×10⁻⁴ mol), sodium methacrylate (5.02 g, 0.04647 mol) and a magnetic stirrer bar. The solids were dissolved in demineralised water (15 cm³) and the resulting solution de-gassed by bubbling nitrogen gas through for 45 minutes. A mixture of copper (I) bromide (0.1333 g, 9.294×10⁻⁴ mol) and 2,2′-dipyridyl (0.2937 g, 1.859×10⁻³ mol) was added to the reaction flask. A polymerisation exotherm of 10° C. was noted. The reaction was stirred for 2 hours at ambient temperature. The contents of the flask was then diluted with demineralised water and the solution passed through a slurry of silica on a sinter funnel, yielding a water-white, clear solution. This was added to a 3-fold volume of methanol, causing the product to precipitate. This was collected on a filter and dried in vacuo at 40° C. to constant weight, yielding 2.8 g of white, crystalline powder.

Characterisation

IR. 1544 cm⁻¹ (vs, carboxylate ion)

NMR (1H-D₂O): 0.7–1.4 (m, CH₃ polymer main chain, 130H)

-   -   3.4–4.4 (m, mannose/galactose CH and CH₂, 36H).

This indicates that the number of repeat units (or degree of polymerisation, DP) of the grafted poly(methacrylic acid, Na salt) is 44. 

1. A substituted polysaccharide useful as a macroinitiator for preparing graft polysaccharide polymers by controlled graft polymerisation, in which at least one sugar unit of the polysaccharide is substituted by a group of the formula —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z in which W represents a group —O— or —NR¹—, where R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom; p, q and r are each Independently 0 or 1; L represents an optionally substituted alkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene or heteroarylene group; X and Y each independently represent a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, —CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—O—CO—, —CO—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—CO—O—, —O—CO—CH₂—, —O—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—O—, —(CR²R³)_(s)—CO—, —CO—(CR²R³)_(s)—, —(CR²R³)_(t)—O—, —O—(CR²R³)t—, —(CR²R³)_(u)—SO—, —SO—(CR²R³)_(u)—, —(CR²R³)_(v)—SO2—, —SO₂—(CR²R³)_(v)— or —NH—CO—NH, where s, t, u and v are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3 and R² and R³ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and Z comprises a halogen atom and represents a control agent site from which a polymer may propagate during a free radical polymerisation process, the substituted polysaccharide having the general formula

wherein each SU represents a sugar unit in a polysaccharide backbone; a represents the number of unsubstituted sugar units as a percentage of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0 to 99.9%, b represents the number of substituted sugar units as a percentage of the total number of sugar units and is in the range from 0.1 to 100%, preferably 1 to 35%, more preferably 1 to 20%; m represents the degree of substitution per sugar unit and is from 1 to 3, in which the polysaccharide has a β-1,4-linked backbone.
 2. A substituted polysaceharide according to claim 1 in which W represents a group —O— or —NH—.
 3. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1, in which q is I and L is a —CH₂— group.
 4. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1, in which p and/or r is I and X and/or Y represents a group —CH₂—, —CO—, —CO—NH— or —NH—CO—.
 5. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1 in which Z is a group of the formula

wherein Hal and Hal¹ each represent a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine or bromine atom, R⁴ and R⁵ each independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group; w is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R⁶ represents a halogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group.
 6. A substituted poylysaccharide according to claim 5, in which R⁴ and R⁵ both represent a methyl group and Hal represents a bromine atom.
 7. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 5, in which w is 0, R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom and Hal1 represents a bromine atom.
 8. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1, in which W represents a group —O— or —NH—, p, q and r are 0 and Z represents a group —CO—C(CH₃)₂—Br.
 9. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1, in which W represents a group —O— or —NH—, p and q are both 0, r is 1, Y represents a group —CH₂— or —CO— and Z represents a 4-(bromomethyl)phenyl group.
 10. A substituted polysaccharide according to claim 1 in which the polysacchande is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose derivatives xyloglucans glucomannans galactomannans chitosan and chitosan salts.
 11. A substituted polysacoharide according to claim 1, having the formula

wherein at least one or more —OR groups of the polymer are independently replaced by a group —W—(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z, in which p, q, r, W, X, L, Y and Z are as defined in claim 1, and at least one or more R groups are independently selected from hydrogen atoms and groups of formulae:

wherein each R⁸ is independently selected from C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl and C₅₋₇ aryl any of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, hydroxyl, vinyl and phenyl groups; each R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen and groups R⁸ as hereinbefore defined; R¹⁰ is a bond or is selected from C₁₋₄ alkylene, C₂₋₄ alkenylene and C₅₋₇ arylene groups, the carbon atoms in any of these being optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, vinyl, hydroxyl, halo and amine groups; each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, counter cations such as alkali metal or ½Ca or ½Mg, and groups R⁸ as hereinbefore defined; R¹² is selected from C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl and C₅₋₇ aryl any of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, cyano, sulphonato, vinyl and phenyl groups; x is from 1 to 3; and groups R which together with the oxygen atom forming the linkage to the respective saccharide ring forms an ester or hemi-ester group of a tricarboxylic- or higher polycarboxylic- or other complex acid such as citric acid, an amino acid, a synthetic amino acid analogue or a protein; any remaining R groups being selected from hydrogen and either substituents.
 12. A process for preparing a substituted polysaccharide as defined in claim 1 which comprises reacting a polysaccharide with a compound of the general formula Q-(X)_(p)-(L)_(q)-(Y)_(r)-Z  (III) wherein p, q, r, X, L, Y and Z are as defined and Q represents a leaving group.
 13. A graft polysaccharide polymer useful for incorporation in laundry detergent and fabric treatment compositions, having the formula

wherein SU, a, b, m, p, q, r, W, X, L and Y are as defined in claim 1, Z¹ represents a group Z as defined from which a halogen atom has been removed, P represents a polymer chain, Hal² represents a halogen, atom and k is from 10 to
 200. 14. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which m is from 1 to
 2. 15. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which P represents a single polymer chain, a random copolymer of two or more monomers or a gradient block copolymer of two or more monomers.
 16. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which the polysacchande backbone has a number average molecular weight from 10 000 to 1 000
 000. 17. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which the polymer is water soluble at a concentration of at least 0.2 mg/ml.
 18. A graft polysaccharide polymer according claim 13, in which the grafts have a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 200
 000. 19. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which P represents a polymer chain derived from a free radically polymerisable alkene monomer.
 20. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which P represents a polymer chain derived from a free radically polymerisable monomer selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula

wherein R¹³ and R¹⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, CN, CF₃, straight or branched C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, α,β-unsaturated straight or branched C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl or alkynyl, α,β-unsaturated straight or branched C₂₋₆ alkenyl substituted with a halogen preferably chlorine, C₃–C₈ cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, C(=T)R¹⁷, C(=T)NR¹⁸R¹⁹ and TC(=T)R²⁰, where T may be NR²⁰ or O R¹⁷ is C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, C₁₋₂₀ alkoxy, aryloxy or heterocyclyloxy, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently H or C₁₋₂₀ alkyl, or R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may be joined together to form a C₂₋₅ alkylene group, thus forming a 3- to 6-membered ring, and R²⁰ is H, straight or branched C₁–C₂₀ alkyl or aryl; and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen C₁–C₆ (preferably C₁) alkyl, COOR²¹ and CONHR²¹ (where R²¹ is H, an alkali metal, or a C₁–C₆ alkyl group optionally substituted by a hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₆ alkylamino or di-(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino group); or a heterocyclyl group optionally substituted by a C₁₋₆ alkyl or hydroxy C₁₋₆ alkyl group; R¹³ and R¹⁵ may be joined to form a group of the formula (CH₂)_(n), (which may be substituted with from 1 to 2n′ halogen atoms or C₁–C₄ alkyl groups) or C(═O)-T-C(═O), where n′ is from 2 to 6 and T is as defined above; and at least two of R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are H or halogen.
 21. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which P represents a polymer chain derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of sodium methacrylate, t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl morpholine methacrylate, 2-methacryloxyethyl glucoside, methoxypolyethyleneglycol methacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate, 2-(sulphooxy)ethyl methacrylate ammonium salt, 3-sulphopropyl methacrylate potassium salt, [2-(methacryloxy)ethyl]dimethyl- (3-sulphopropyl)ammonium hydroxide inner salt, 4-vinyl benzoic acid and 4-styrenesulphonic acid sodium salt.
 22. A graft polysaccharide polymer according to claim 13, in which P represents a polymer chain which is a copolymer derived from a monomer and a monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl methacrylates (eg), perfluoroalkyl methacrylates and siloxane methacrylates.
 23. A process for preparing a graft polysaccharide polymer as defined in claim 13, which comprises polymerising at least one free radically polymerisable monomer from the control agent site of a substituted polysaccharide in the presence of a transition metal compound and a ligand, and isolating the (co)polymer so formed.
 24. A process according to claim 23, in which the transition metal compound is a compound of the formula M^(j+)N_(j) where M^(j+) is selected from the group consisting of Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ru²⁺, Ru³⁺, Cr²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mo²⁺, Mo³⁺, W²⁺, W³⁺, Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Rh³⁺, Rh⁴⁺, Re²⁺, Re³⁺, Co⁺, Co²⁺, V²⁺, V³⁺, Zn⁺, Zn²⁺, Au⁺, Au²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ag²⁺; N is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, (SO₄)_(1/2), (PO₄)_(1/3), (HPO₄)_(1/2), (H₂PO₄), triflate, hexafluorophosphate, methanesulphonate, arylsulphonate, CN and R²²CO₂, where R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched C₁₋₆ alkyl group which may be substituted from 1 to 5 times with a halogen atom and j is the formal charge on the metal.
 25. A process according to claim 23, in which the ligand is a N—, O—, P— or S— containing compound which can coordinate in a σ-bond to the transition metal or any carbon-containing compound which can coordinate in a π-bond to the transition metal.
 26. A process according to claim 23, in which the molecular weight of the polymer chain P is controlled to a desired point based on living-type kinetics. 